30 DETROITER November 2009TalenT and leadership

A study conducted by the Families and Work Institute in May 2009 found that most companies (81 percent) are maintaining the workplace flexibility they offer during the recession and another 13 percent are increasing

it. The Alfred P. Sloan Awards recognize organizations that are striving to find new ways to make work "work" in today's difficult economy. Winners are the organizations that are finding this middle ground.

"From new forms of flexible work arrangements that minimize lay-offs, to creative cost-cutting that retains core medical benefits, to providing financial information and support to employees, these employers are braving the economic storm through innovative policies that prevent undue shock to their workplaces and their employees,"

said Ellen Galinsky, president of the Families and Work Institute. "We are excited to recognize these exemplary employers in our business community," said Tammy Carnrike, chief operating officer, Detroit Regional Chamber. "Their ability to maintain progressive workplaces that allows flexibility for their employees is to be applauded particularly in the current economic environment we are facing in Michigan."

The Alfred P. Sloan Awards for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility are part of the When Work Works project, an ongoing initiative of Families and Work Institute, the Institute for a Competitive Workforce and the Twiga Foundation. The Detroit Regional Chamber and Michigan Economic Development Corporation lead the local initiative.

Local winners:Albert Kahn Family of CompaniesDetroit Regional ChamberBrown and Brown of DetroitKPMG, LLPErnst & YoungMenlo Innovations LLCBDO Seidman LLPEmployees OnlyAmerisure Mutual Insurance CompanyMichigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Altair EngineeringMichigan Health & Hospital AssociationPublic Policy Associates, Inc.Motion Marketing & MediaRegal Financial GroupFrank, Haron, Weiner & Navarro P.L.C.Services Express, Inc.ValassisLeader Dogs for the BlindMotawi Tileworks, Inc.National Multiple Scierosis Society

Peckham Inc.Farbman GroupDynamic Edge, Inc.Plex Systems, Inc.Ryan Inc.Visteon CorporationWarner Norcross & Judd LLP – Southfield, Grand Rapids, Muskegon & Holland officesMichigan Civil Service CommissionMichigan Department of EducationMichigan Department of Environmental Quality

Local Companies Honored with Sloan Awards

31DETROITER November 2009TalenT and leadership

September was a big month for the Intern In Michigan program. In addition to reaching new user peaks of more than 5,000 students and 500 employers on its Web site, the program received a big boost in financial and strategic support.

Earlier in the month, Intern In Michigan was awarded a $1.2 million grant from the west Michigan-based, W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The grant, which will provide funding through 2012, will be utilized to expand InternInMichigan.com across the state and further the commitment and coordinated strategy of the Detroit Regional Chamber and its key partners to attract and retain Michigan’s youngest and brightest talent.

The funding, which the program began receiving in September, will be utilized to support Intern In Michigan program activities and expenses associated with expanding participation, access and utilization of a single internship database across Michigan. Initial funding for the program was provided through grants received from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Workforce Innovations in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) program and the New Economy Initiative for Southeast Michigan (NEI).

Along with the grant funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, September also marked the addition of two new partnership agreements that will further expand Intern In Michigan as a collaborative statewide initiative and bolster the program’s presence in Upper and Mid-Michigan. The Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce and the Lansing-based Prima Civitas Foundation (PCF) joined the Detroit Regional Chamber and the West Michigan Strategic Alliance to form a multi-organizational collective effort to attract and retain young, bright talent.

As a partner, each organization will be able to serve as a local point of contact for Michigan employers and universities, so that InternInMichigan.com will truly be an initiative that encompasses the entire state. The Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce services the region of upper Michigan, which includes: Leelanau, Benzie, Grand Travers, Kalkaska and Antrim counties. PCF, through the outreach of its Mid-Michigan Innovation Team, services 13 counties encompassing two million people, anchored by Flint, Lansing, Midland, Saginaw and the thumb.

Per individual agreements with its new partners, Intern In Michigan will provide the necessary support to assist with the efforts to promote the program and its Web site - InternInMichigan.com - to employers and students.

Larry Jones is a freelance public relations strategist and writer.

InternInMichigan.com positioned for continued growth with receipt of new support By Larry Jones

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